Marker’s Responsibilities
A player’s scorecard must be marked by a fellow competitor or a marker appointed by the Committee.
After each hole, the marker should confirm with the player the number of strokes on that hole and enter that gross score on the scorecard.
After the round the marker must certify the hole scores by signing the scorecard. If the player had more than one marker, each marker must certify the scores for those holes where they were the marker, but if one of the markers saw the player play all of the holes, that marker may certify the scores for all the holes.
Player’s Responsibilities
During the round, the player should keep track of his or her scores for each hole. After the round the player should check the scores entered by the marker. The player must not change a hole score entered by the marker except with the marker's agreement.
The player should ensure that their name, the date and the competition name are recorded before signing the scorecard and promptly returning it to the Committee, after which the player must not change the scorecard. Scorecards returned with a hole score lower than the actual hole score will lead to disqualification; see Rules of Golf, Rule 3.3b.
Any disputes or clarifications regarding the Rules of Golf should be raised with the Committee before returning the scorecard.
- While not mandatory, it assists the Committee if the player’s Handicap Index and Playing Handicap, and (in Stablefords) the holes where handicap strokes are received, along with the points scored on each hole are recorded on the scorecard.
- However, if there is a mistake in showing or applying a handicap, or if there is a mistake in adding up the scores, there is no penalty.
- See Appendix Z for examples of how to fill in a scorecard for different formats of competition.
Holes Not Completed
For handicap purposes, holes where a gross score is not entered are recorded as Net Double Bogey for determining the Score Differential on the player’s Scoring Record.
Note: Net Double Bogey is determined using the player’s Course Handicap, not the player’s Playing Handicap. For example, a player with a Course Handicap of 18 playing in an individual stableford competition receives 17 strokes (using 95% Handicap Allowance). When playing the Stroke Index 18 hole, which is a par 3, the player would not receive a handicap stroke, so:
3 strokes = 2 points, 4 strokes = 1 point, 5+ strokes = 0 points
If they do not hole out, their Scoring Record will show 3 (par) + 1 (h/c stroke) +2 (double bogey) = 6, even though they may have been able to hole out for 5. For this reason players should endeavour to hole out for net bogey (based on Course Handicap) even when they can’t score any points on the hole.
Holes Not Played
For handicap purposes, holes not played for a valid reason are recorded as follows for determining the Score Differential on the player’s Scoring Record:
- In a 9 hole round, all holes must be played for a 9 hole score to be submitted
- In an 18 hole round, at least 10 holes must be played for the score to be submitted
- With effect from April 2024: an Expected Score for each hole not played is determined based on a statistical calculation for a player of given Handicap Index playing on a course of standard difficulty.
Returning of Scores to the Committee
Unless otherwise specified:
- As soon as possible after the round, the player should enter his or her scores for each hole into the computer via the PSI screen or HowDidiDo app and post the scorecard in the designated place, usually the letter-box outside the office for Men’s & Open to All competitions, the box in the locker room for Ladies competitions and the Seniors box for Seniors competitions. The scorecard is considered ‘returned’ as soon as this is done.
- The deadline for returning scores is usually10:00pm on the day of play, or 3:00pm for Seniors Competitions.
- Scores must be returned even if the round or any holes have not been completed. Where appropriate, the Committee will calculate an adjusted gross score for the holes not completed.
- A fundamental principle of the Handicap system is that the player will make every effort to score his/her best in each round. All of a player’s scores are taken into account when the Annual Review is done and it is important that No Returns reflect the actual performances of the player. Entering no score at every hole distorts this and makes additional work for the Committee.
Failure to Return Scores
Failure to return scorecards and/or failure to enter scores via the PSI screen, HowDidiDo, or any other method required by the Committee without good reason may result in the Committee applying a Penalty Score to the player’s Scoring Record. For more persistent offences a player may lose the right to compete in Club Competitions for a specified period or have their handicap suspended for an appropriate period.
Note: if the scores entered into the computer by the player differ from those on the scorecard, the scores on the scorecard are deemed to be the scores returned. Accidentally entering an incorrect score on the computer will not lead to disqualification.
